The Thai people are humble, very friendly, always eager to help and there’s always a lot of bowing with hands in the prayer position. I guess it’s the Buddhist influence. This is the typical Thai greeting, called the “Wai”. It is used to say hello, goodbye and thank you. The higher the hands are placed, the more respect is shown.

The Wai is common in Southeast Asia in the Buddhist countries of Cambodia and Laos. It is not a religious practice but can be part of rituals in religious observance. Southeast Asia was subjected to a process of Indianisation and so probably the Wai has its origins in the Indian practice of ” Namaste ”

For us, the Wai began oddly enough on Korean Air where the possibly Thai flight attendants for the Bangkok bound flight approached each passenger, introduced themselves and thanked them for flying with them. The “Wai courtesy” was the same on Air Asia or Thai Air carried right through to the clerks in stores, the front desk people at hotels and even the many people preparing and selling street food all over Thailand.

Here are some common greetings that go along way even when you are obviously an outsider.

Comments

Why this blog?

I can't stand it anymore! What is becoming of our country, our basic liberties?

After two careers (18 yrs as a dental hygienist, then 20 as a Realtor) I have to stand up and try to effect some change. I want to make it easier for you to do the same. We have to Get Off Our Butts and spread the word. There are more of us than they think, but we have to make ourselves known before it's too late.